Automatic liquid vendor



Feb. 12, 1946. J. M. ALEXANDER AUTOMATIC LIQUID VENDOR Filed Oct. 9, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR dohn M. Alexander BY \EF llllll l ATTORNEY;

Feb. 12, 1946. J..M. ALEXANDER AUTOMATIC LIQUID VENDOR Filed Oct. 9, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 III 250 o H m w m w A W i m? Feb. 12, 1946. J. M. ALEXANDER 2,394,528

AUTOMATIC LIQUID VENDOR Filed Oct. 9, 1959 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.8 I49 IO Fig.lO

as .136 I38 L- 140 I4 as 85 W I I l I .J

INVENTOR. John M. Alexander ATTORNEY.

Feb. 12,1946. JIM. ALEXANDER AUTOMATIC LIQUID VENDOR Filed Oct. 9, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

w d Ma X i M 0 o a 0/0 Fig. l2

ATTORNEY.

Feb. 12, 1946. J. M. ALEXANDER 2,

AUTOMATIC LIQUID VENDOR Filed Oct. 9, 1939 5 Sheets- Sheet 5 Fig. 14

Fig. 15 74 Q I75 27 m \m 470- 29 we 7 2oa zo7 46 o fi 231 INVENTOR. dob/2 M. Alexander ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 12, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC LIQUID VENDOR John M. Alexander, Lincoln, Nebr.

Application October 9, 1939, Serial No. 298,602

14= Claims.

' tirely automatic and coin-operated, so as to make the pump available to drivers at night or at other times when the attendant is not in the filling station.

One object of the present invention is to provide a liquid dispensing machine wherein any one of several predetermined amounts of liquid can be dispensed by depositing a coin corresponding to the proper amount.

A further object of the invention is to provide in such machine the means whereby a second coin cannot be inserted while the dispensing operation is in progress.

A further object of the invention is to pro- .vide a liquid vending machine of the computing type and having a different indicia bearing wheel for each digit of the price of the dispensed liquid in which provision is made for delivery of an amount the last digit of the price of which is a number other than zero.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement such as set forth in the last object in which upon the price indicating wheels reaching a position corresponding to the first digit of the desired amount of fluid, an act preparatory to the termination of the dispensing operation is performed, and wherein upon the wheel bearing the final digits reaching a position corresponding to the last digit of the desired price, the dispensing operation is immediately terminated.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel dispensing mechanism in which the dispensing operation is controlled by a relay which is manually moved to its energized position only in the presence of a coin, and which, when so moved to its energized position, establishes a holding circuit for itself.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine such as set forth above, in which the coin forms a link between a manually operated lever and an actuating member for the relay armature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vending arrangement of the type described in a liquid vending machine, wherein the relay controls the operation of a motor driving a liquid dispensing pump. 3

A still further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement such as set forth in the immediately preceding objects, in which the manual means for moving the relay into its energized position in the presence of a coin, is also effective for the return of the coin if not accepted by the machine.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a liquid vending machine which by a simple switch operation can be changed from automatic to manual operation, or vice versa.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine employing a new and novel combination of slug detecting features, resulting in an extremely efficient slug detecting mechanism.

Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the accompanying specification, claims and drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the improved vending machine, viewed from the rear and with portions cut away;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vending machine, as viewed from the front, and also with portions cut away;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View of the coinoperating relay structure;

Figure 4 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the various switches of the electrical equip- I ment employed in the apparatus;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views of the switch apparatus actuated by the price indicating wheels and in various stages of their operation;

Figure 8 is a section of the switch actuating mechanism and the associated price indicating wheels, the section being taken along the plane 8-8 of Figure 1;,

Figure 9 is an isometric view showing the manner of mounting a switch actuating lug on a price indicating wheel;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line ill-Ill of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an external view of the lower portion of the apparatus of Figure 8 as viewed from the right; v

Figure 12 is a view of a portion of the mechanism for actuating the wheels indicating the price of the dispensed liquid, and showing a portion of the means for actuating a second set of wheels for operation of the switches of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a view showing in a conventional manner the relationship between the actuatin means for the wheels indicating the price and the amount of fluid dispensed and other elements of the mechanism;

Figure 14 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in section of the portion of the mech anism concerned with the reception and disposal of the coin, the section being taken along the line I4l4 of Figure 15;

Figure 15 is a sectional view of a portion of the coin receiving mechanism, the section being taken along the line I5l 5 of Figure '14;

Figure 16 is a portion of a modified form of coin. chute; and

Fb'gure 17 is a top plan view of the coin gate.

Referring to the drawings for a more specific understanding of the invention, the improved machine is generally indicated. in Figures 1 and 2. As illustrated in these figures, the pump comprises a casing l having inside thereof a pipe I l for conveying gasoline from an underground tank. The gasoline is pumped by means of a pump which is driven by a motor l and is associated with an air eliminator l3 of'conventional form.

The gasoline passes through pipe I l and enters the air eliminator l 3, which removes any air that may have accumulated in the gasoline during its passage upwardly from the storage tank. After leaving the air eliminator I3 the gasoline passes through a pipe 16 to a meter I1 and past a sight gage I8 and finally through a hose l9. The hose is provided with a valved nozzle 20 in the conventional manner. The meter I1 operates through a gear box 24 mechanism for indicating the number of gallons of liquid dispensed and the price of the dispensed liquid at the current price per gallon. A plurality of windows 2|, 22 and 23 is provided for respectively indicating the price per gallon, the number of gallons, and the total price of the dispensed fluid. The apparatus which has been described so far is purely conventional in the art. The operation of this apparatus in the usual prior devices requires an attendant. Associated with the hook upon which the nozzle rests, or at any other desired location, there is a switch which controls the energization of the motor. Since-such a switch is conventional in form and location, it is shown only in the wiring diagram of Figure 4, wherein it is desie nated by the reference characters 290 and 29!. Upon the attendant removing the hook from the nozzle the motor is automatically started, and as soon as the valve in the nozzle is opened, the resulting flow of gasoline actuates the meter I! to cause movement of the price and gallon indicating dials. Applicant's invention is concerned with improvements particularly adapted to this type of pump wherein the apparatus is automatically started by the depositing of a coin, and wherein the operation is terminated upon the delivery of an amount of gasoline corresponding in value to the deposited coin.

Generally designated by the reference numerals 2'6 and 21 is a pair of coin-receiving slug-detecting devices. These devices are substantially the same, except for the fact that they are adapted to receive coins of different denominations. The construction of these devices will be explained later in greater detail. Referring to Figure 14. it will be noted that these devices broadly consist of a slide 29 containing a slot 30 for the reception of a coin. Upon the slide 29 being pushed inwardly, and if the coin is of a proper sze and character, the coin will pass through a. chute into a second slug detecting device. The chute receiving the coin of the coin-receiving device 26 is designated by the reference numeral 32 and the associated further slug-detecting device by the numeral 33. In the case-of the coin-receiving device 21, the chute is designated by the numeral 34, and the further slug-detecting device by the numeral 35. The construction of the further slug-detecting devices 33 and 35 will be described more in detail subsequently. For the present purposes it is suflicient to state that the devices are capable, by consideration of the 'weight, size, electromagnetic characteristics, and

the electrical conductivity, of distinguishing between a legitimate coin and a counterfeit coin to a remarkable degree. If the coin is a legitimate coin it passes into a further chute 36 in the case of detector 33 and into a chute 31 in the case of slug detector 35. If, on the other hand, the coin is a counterfeit coin, it passes into an ejector tube 38, which leads to a return cup 39. It will I be understood that this return cup extends through or is accessible from an opening in the front of the casing l0, so as to permit recovery of the rejected coin. In certain cases, the slug detecting devices 33 and 35 will retain the coin. In these cases, actuation of the lever 4| of detector 33, or 42 of detector 35, will release the retained ,coin into ejector tube 38 for passage into the return cup 39.- These levers 4| and 42 are actuated in the normal operation of the machine incidental to starting thereof, as will be expla ned presently.

The coin tubes 36 and 31 lead into relay units 45 and 46, respectively. Figure 3 is a sectional view of relay unit 46. It will be noted that this unitcomprises a two-part casing 41 omprising chambers 48 and 49. Located in chamber 49 is an electro-magnet 50. Cooperating with this magnet 50 is a pivoted armature 5i on which is mounted a switch supporting base 52. Secured to this base is a plurality of mercury switches 53 and 54. It will be understood that these switches can be of any desired type, although I find it particularly desirable to employ metal-clad mercury switches. The switches employed throughout the mechanism are in circuit closing position when horizontally disposed, and are in circuit open position when the outer end thereof is tilted downwardly with respect to .the pivot point.

Thus the two switches 53 and 54 are in circuit ployed to bias'the armature to its deenergized position, in which position switches 53 and 54 are in their circuit open position. Pivotally connected to armature 5| and extending through a passage between the chambers 43 and 49 is a rod 51. Secured to rod 51 is an abutment member 58 adapted to be engaged by a coin. The tube 31 extends into chamber 48. located at the lower end of the chamber 48 in the path" of a coin passing through chute 31 is a gate 59 which limits the downward movement of the coin to a position adjacent the abutment member 58. Pivotally secured to the casing 41 and extending into the chamber 48 is a bell crank lever 6|. A vertical arm of this lever extends upwardly adjacent the coin, which is indicated by the reference numeral 62. A horizontal arm of the lever 6! extends outwardly through a slot 63 in the floor of casing 47. Secured to the outer end of the horizontal arm of the bell crank 6! is a rod 64. As indicated in Figure 2, this rod is connected to one arm of bell crank lever 65, the other arm of which is pivotally connected to a plunger 66. The plunger 86 is provided with a pushbutton 61 at the outer end thereof. Suitable biasing means (not hown) may be provided for urging plunger 66 outwardly and consequently urging rod 64 downwardly. Upon button 61 being pushed inwardly, rod 64 is moved upwardly to rock'bell crank lever 6| in a counter-clockwise direction. As will be apparent from the consideration of the dotted line position of lever GI in Figure 3, this counter-clockwise movement of lever 6I imparts a thrust to the left to the rod 51 if a coin is present. It will be noted in this connection that the coin acts as a link between the bell crank lever BI and the abutment member 58. This movement of rod 51 to the right cause armature to be moved into engagement of the electro-magnet 50. As will be described later in connection with the operation of the machine as a whole, the movement of armature 51 to this position establishes a holding circuit so as to maintain the armature in this position upon release of push-button 61 and consequent downward movementof rod 64.

The machine may be adapted for the receiving of two or more coins. For purposes of illustration, the machine i described in connection with the reception of twenty-five-cent and fifty-cent coins. The coin-receiving device 21 is one which is designed to receive fifty-cent coins, and the relay unit 46 is one designed to be operated by the insertion of a fifty-cent coin. The coin-receiving device 26 is designed to receive twenty-fivecent coins, and the relay unit 45 is the one which is operated by the insertion of a twenty-five-cent coin. The two relay units 45 and 46 are substantially the same, with the exception that a further switch is associated with the relay unit 45. Referring to Figure 4, the relay of relay unit 45 is illustrated schematically in the extreme righthand portion of the figure. It will be noted that this relay comprises an electro-magnet I0, which has a pivoted armature TI which carries a switch support I2. Secured to this switch support are mercury switches I3, I4 and I5.

Referring to Figure 1, the reference numeral 1'! is employed to generally designate a switch 11 having a switch actuating knob I8. The switch TI is provided for the purpose of transferring from manual to automatic control, or vice versa. Referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that this switch contains two mercury switches I9 and 80,

which switches are secured to 'a common switch support, 8|, secured to a shaft 82. The shaft 82 is connected to knob I8 so that rotation of knob I8 results in rotation of the switch support 8|.

The switches I9 and 80 are shown in full lines in Figure 4 in the position assumed when the device is operated automatically. Upon rotation of knob I8 and shaft 82 in a clockwise direction, the switches I9 and 80 are moved to the dotted line position, which is their manual position. In their automatic position, the switch I9 is closed and the switcn 80 is open. In the manual position the switch I9 is open and the switch 80 is closed. The knob I8 is located within .the casing so as t be inaccessible to a customer.

The portion of the automatic control system which has been described so far is concerned solely with the starting of the apparatus, it being understood that the actuation of the armatures 5| or II to their energized positions results in the starting of the motor I5 which drives the gasoline pump I4. As previously indicated, the present invention further provides means whereby the operation of the dispensing apparatus is automatically terminated upon the desired amount being dispensed. Referring to Figure 8, it willbe generally notedthat I have provided price indicating wheels with lugs 84, 65 and 86. The lugs are designed to actuate switches in the motor controlling circuit upon the desired amount of liquid being dispensed. These switches are designated by the numerals 88, 89 and 90, and are designed to either directly or indirectly control the energization of the motor. While my invention contemplates the provision of the switch actuating lugs 84, and 86 on the regular price indicating dials, it is usually necessary where the invention is applied to existing gasoline dispensing machines of a computing type to provide a separate set of price indicating dials for this purpose. The reason for thisis that the conventional machine of this type is not usually provided with sufficient space adjacent to the price indicating dials to permit the inclusion of the switches and their actuating mechanism. I accordingly find it necessary where the invention is to be utilized in connection with conventional machines to provide an auxiliary'set of price indicating wheels in a separate housing which is designated by the numeral 92. The relation of this housing to the rest of the apparatus is best shown in Figures 1 and 8. Referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that there are three indicating wheels 94, and 96. The wheel 96 indicates the last digit of the price, the wheel 95 the second, and the wheel 94 the next digit, where a ecimal monetary system is used. It will be.understood that for use in the United States and Canada and other countries where the dollar and cent monetary system is employed,'the wheels 95 and 96 will be used to designate cents and the wheel 94, dollars. These wheels are all loosely mounted on a common shaft 01. The wheel 96 is driven by a gear 98 which is also loosely mounted on shaft 91 and is connected through an idler gear 99 to a gear I00 secured to a shaft IOI. The shafts 91 and IOI are journalled in the walls of housing 92, shaft IOI extending through the left-hand wall thereof and having a gear I02 secured thereto at its outer end. The gear I02 meshes with a gear I 03 which forms an element of the gear train,

operating the conventional gallon and price indicating wheels.

A portion of the gearing mechanism associated with this price and gallon indicating structure is indicated in Figure 12 in order to show the cooperation of gear I02 with this gearing mechanism. It will be understood that this gearing mechanism forms no part of this present invention, being of a conventional form such as shown in the patent to George W. Harness, No. 1,439,163. For a clearer understanding of the present invention, this apparatus is shown schematically in Figure 13. It will be noted that the meter II drives a shaft I04 which is assoc ated with a plurality of gears I05 assembled on the shaft I04 to form a stepped cone. The gears I05 are adapted to drive through an idler-gear I06, gearing means secured to a shaft I01. The position of the idler gear is determined by the setting of the price adiusting mechanism generally designated by the reference numeral I09. The speed of rotation of shaft I0I as compared with the meter shaft I04 is thus determ ned by the price setting. The shaft I01 has secured thereto a bevelled gear IIO which meshes with a second bevelled gear I II and drives various price indicating dials H2, H3 and H4 through suitable gearing of the star-wheel type so as to give a jump movement to wheels H2 and H3. A bevelled gear II5 also meshes with bevelled gear I II and drives the shaft II6, which in turn drives the auxiliary price wheels, only wheels 95 and 96 of which are shown. It is to be understood that the driving mechanism for these auxiliary price wheels is shown in Figure 13 for purely schematic purposes, and that the driving mechanism, found most practical foruse with the existing types of pump, is that shown in Figures 8 and. 12 and previously described. The meter shaft I04 is directly connected to a bevelled gear H8, which meshes with a'bevelled gear II9 associated with a gallon indicating wheel I20. Wheel I drives through starwheel gearing wheels I2I and I22. It will be understood that wheels I2I and I22 are moved with a jump action and are employed to indicate gallons and tens of gallons, respectively, while wheel I20 is used to indicate tenths of gallons. The particular-units of measurement appearing upon wheels I20, I 2I and I22 can, of course, be chosen in accordance with the particular units of measurement prevalent in the region in which the device is being used. Associated with the bevelled gear H9 is a bevelled gear I24, which is secured to a shaft I25. The shaft I25 drives a' cam I26 through cooperating bevelled gears I21 and I28. It is to be pointed out in this connection that the driving mechanism for cam I26 is shown here in schematic form for clarity and illustration and that the specific form which applicant has found most desirable will be described later.

From Figure 13 it will be noted that as the gasoline passes through the meter I1, shaft I04 is driven at a rate solel dependent upon the rate of flow, and that this shaft positions the wheels I20, I2I, and I22 indicating the amount of fluid dispensed. Also driven by shaft I04 is a cam I26, the purpose of which will .be described later. Shaft I04 further drives a shaft I01 through gearing, including gears I 05, the ratio of which gearing is determined by the setting of the mech anism I09 which indicates the price per gallon. The shaft I01 isaccordingly driven at a rate which is dependent both upon the flow of gasoline and the price per gallon. The shaft drives a series of price indicating wheels H2, H3 and H4 and also drives the auxiliary wheels 94, 95 and 96. These latter wheels are accordingly positioned in accordance with the total price of the dispensed fluid, regardless of what the current price per gallon may be.

Referring again to Figure 8, it will be obvious that as the conventional price indicating wheels are rotated, the gear 98 will also be rotated. The gearing comprising gears 98, 99, I00, and I02 is so selected that the conventional price indicating wheels and the auxiliary price indicating wheels are driven at the same speed. The wheel 96 being driven directly by the gear 98 is driven at a uniform speed'in the direction indicated in Figure 10 by the arrow on gear 98. As previously pointed out, wheels 94 and 95 are loosely secured,

to the shaft 91. Rigidly secured to wheel 94 is a gear I32, and rigidl secured to wheel 95 is a gear I34. Associated with gears I32 and I34 are starwheels I35 and I36. The wheel 96 carries a lug not shown which cooperates with the star-wheel I36, so that upon each revolution of wheel 96, the star-wheel is rotated the distance between two of its teeth to impart a similar movement to gear I34. This movement is suflicient to advance the wheel 95 a distance of one numeral. Similarly,

the wheel 95 upon making a complete rotation operates through the star-wheel I35 to advance the position of wheel 94 the distance of one numeral. This particular means of moving such price indicating wheels is well known and per se forms no part of the present invention.

The manner in which lugs 84, 85 and 85 are secured to the auxiliar price-indicating wheels is illustrated in Figure 9. It will be noted that'the lug 86 is secured to an arcuate band I31 which is provided with slots I42. Screws I46 extend through these slots into the wheel 96. By reason of the screw and slot method of connecting the lug to the wheel, provision is made for slightly adjusting the position of the lug with respect to the wheel.

The switches 88 and 89 are secured to L-shaped supports I38 and I39. These switch supports are pivotally secured to a rod I40 secured to the housing 92. The switches 88 and 89 are biased open and closed positions respectively and are adapted to be moved to closed and open positions respectively by engagement of lugs 84 and 85 with the downwardly extending portions of switch supports I 30 and I39. The switch 90 is likewise secured to a switch support I4I, which switch support is pivotally secured to a plunger,l43,- as best indicated in Figure 10. The weight of the mercury switch tends to rotate the switch support MI in a clockwise direction, this movement being limited by lug I44. The switch support MI is provided with an arm which extends downwardly and terminates in a U-shaped portion, the outer leg I of which is adapted to be engaged under certain circumstances by the lug 86 secured to wheel 96. When switch carrier MI is in the position indicated in solid lines, the arm I45 is out of the path of movement of lug 86. I43, supporting the switch carrier I4I, has secured thereto a solenoid core I41. This core is axially movable in a, solenoid coil I48 provided with an axial passage therethrough. The plung- 40 er I43 is provided with an enlarged upper end I49 and disposed between "this enlarged upper end and the upper end of the coil I48 is a spring I 50 which serves to bias the plunger and the core I41 upwardl to the position shown in Figure 10.

Upon energization of the solenoid I48, the core I41v is moved downwardly into the field of the coil so as to move the plunger and switch carrier to the position partiall indicated in dotted lines.

The lower end of plunger I43 is provided'with an arm I5I. This arm is adapted to cooperate with a latch I52 pivotally mounted at I53. A spring I54 is secured to the lower end of this latch and is adapted to urge the upper end thereof against the arm I5I. Upon plunger I43 being lowered, the biasing means I54 moves the upper portion of the latch over the arm I 5I as indicated in dotted lines, so as to retain the plunger I43 in this lower position. With the plunger in this position, the arm I45 of the switch carrier I4I lies in the path of movement of lug 86, so that upon clockwise rotation of wheel 96, as viewed from Figure 10, the lug 86 strikes the arm I45, tipping the switch carrier in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby moving switch 90 to open position.

Mechanism is provided for returning the various indicating wheels to their starting position. Pumps of the computing'type, with which the present invention is associated, are commonly provided with a crank whereby the price and gal lon indicating wheels may be rotated directly to their zero position. Referring to Figures 8 and 11, a shaft I60 is shown as journalled in the walls of the housing 92. This shaft I60 constitutes an extension of the shaft of the conventional portion of the computing machine which is rotated The plunger assesses for resetting the wheels. A crank I6I is mounted on shaft I60, and when moved inwardly to interlock with pins I62, is adapted to rotate shaft I60. As best indicated by Figure 11, a gear I63 is secured to shaft I60. This gear is coupled to a gear I64 through a gear train comprising gears I66, I61, and I68. As the result of this gear train, counterclockwise rotation of shaft I60 causes clockwise rotation of gear I64. Gear I64 is secured to the shaft 91 so that clockwise rotation of gear I64 causes similar rotation of shaft 91. Suitable mechanism is provided for causing such rotation of shaft 91 to turn quickly the wheels 94, 95 and 96 to their original position. It is to be understood that the rotation of shaft I60 by crank I6I causes the other price indicating wheels, as well as the gallon indicating wheels to be returned to their original positions in the conventional manner.

The rotation of shaft I60 to reset the auxiliary price indicating wheels has a further function in my device of releasing the latch I52. It will be recalled from the preceding description that the latch I52 retains the plunger I43 in its lower dotted line position. The shaft I60 carries an arm I which, as best shown in Figures 8 and 10, is adapted to engage the lower end of latch member I52. It will be obvious that counterclockwise rotation of shaft I60 will cause arm I10 to rotate latch I52 in a clockwise direction to release the plunger I43. The release of plunger I43 permits the biasing spring I50 to return the plunger to its normal deenergized position.

In the preceding description, the structure of the coin receiving and slug detectin devices was not specifically described. The structure of these devices will now be explained in greater detail. Referring to Figure 14, the structure of the coin receiving device 21 is shown. This device comprises a slide 29 having an opening 30, as previously described. This opening is of a proper size to receive the desired coin. Theslide 29 slides between a base plate I10 and an upper plate Ill. The slide is manipulated by an angularly extending portion I13 forming a finger piece. The upper plate I1I has pivotally mounted thereon, a curved arm I14. The outer end of this arm is curved downwardly and tapered to a wedge-shaped point as indicated by the numeral I15. This pointed end I15 of the arm I14 extends through an opening I16 in the upper plate "I. The arm I16 is biased downwardly by reason of its own weight or by any suitable means such as a spring. A horseshoe magnet I18 is disposed on the upper plate Ill and is securely fastened thereto. An opening I80 is provided beneath the poles of the magnet I10. The base plate I10 is provided with an opening I82 which communicates with the coin tube 34.

The operation of this device will be explained later in connection with the operation of the machine as a whole.

The slug detector 35 is essentially-similar to that shown and described in the patent to Tratsch et al., No. 2,151,823. For a detailed understanding of the device, reference is made to that patent. Since the novelty of the present invention resides in part in the combination of. the coin detecting features of this device with other elements of the machine, the device has been illustrated in a somewhat schematic manner in Figures 14 and 15. As indicated in these figures, this slug detector35 basically comprises two outer plates I86 and I81 and a central plate I88 which is provided with a passage running therethrough for the guiding of the coin. This passage is generally designated by the reference numeral I89. This passage comprises a vertical entrance portion I which directly communicates with the coin tube 34. Communicating with the vertical portion I90 is a portion I9I which slopes downwardly to the right. Projecting into the wall of the portion I9! of passage I89 is the pole I92 of a permanent magnet. The portion I9! opens into an enlarged vertical portion I93 at the lower right hand end of which is secured an anvil I95. This anvil is provided with an angular edge I96, against which the coin strikes in dropping after it leaves the lower wall of portion I9I of the passage. Communicating with the vertical portion I93 is a diagonally extending portion I91. Interposed between portions I93 and I91 of the passage is a light hinged finger I98. A coin of the proper characteristics, in dropping onto the anvil I95, will rebound from the angular edge I96 with sufficient force to tilt the finger I98 upwardly and-pass into passage I91. If the coin is not of the proper characteristics, as will be explained in more detail later, the coin will drop down into a recess I99 and out through an opening 200 into a tube 20I which communicates with the ejector tube 38, as best shown in Figure 14.

Th portion I9? of passage I89 communicateswith a portion 203 which extends downwardly to the right into communication with a further por-- tion 204 extending downwardly to the left. The plate I86 is provided with a pair of slots 205 and 206, these slots opening into the portion 204 of the passage. A permanent magnet 201 is secured by a clamping. strap 208 to the plate I86 with the poles thereof protecting into slot 205 and 206. The permanent magnet has an extremely high flux density so that it produces a magnetic field of relatively high intensity in the passage 209. As is well known, a magnetic field tends to impede the movement of an electrically conductive member therethrough. Where the desired coin is a silver coin, this impeding efiect will be very marked if the coin is a genuine one due to the extremely high conductivity of silver. The portion 204 of tne pas sage terminates in an outlet chamber 209 which has communicating therewith outlet openings 2I0 and 2I I. Located in the outlet chamber 209 are two deflecting members M2 and 2I3. Each of these members is adjustably secured to the plate I81 in any desired manner. The deflecting members 2 I2 and 2 I3, serve to determine into which of the outlet openings 2I0 and 2| I, the falling coin will enter. It will be obvious that the coin passing through the portion 204 of the passage I89 will strike the deflecting member 2 I2 with considerable force if it conductivity is relatively high, as would be the case with a spurious coin. The effect of a coin striking the deflecting member 2 I 2 with considerable force would be that this coin would be deflected to the right with sufficient force that it;

would engage deflecting member 2I3 on the right side of its apex so as to roll into the outlet opening 2i I which communicates with the ejector tube 38. If on the other hand, the coin is of the proper high conductivity, the speed with which it moves through passage 204 will be so greatly retarded that the coil will engage deflecting member 2 I3 on the left side of its apex and will roll out through opening 2E0 into the coin tube 31.

It may occasionally happen that a slightly magnetic coin will be held adjacent the poles of mag net 201 by reason of the intense magnetic field. An ejector member 2 I5 is pivotally secured to the member 35 for the purpose of ejecting such coins. This ejector member is provided with a nose 2I6 adapted to enter the portion 204 of the passage when the ejector member is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. The left-hand end of lever 42 is secured to the ejector member 2I5. It

will be obvious that when the right hand end of lever 42 is moved upwardly, the nose 2I6 of ejector member 2I5 is moved inwardly to release any coin retained by the magnet 201. The coin, when thus released, will normally rebound from defiector member 2I2 into the outlet opening 2.

The tube 34 is cut away intermediate its length to provide an opening 220. A second tube 22I is secured adjacent tube 34 with its open end located immediately adjacent the opening 220. Tube 22I is connected to the tube 20I, previousl referred to, which in turn connects with the ejector tube 38. Hingedly secured to the tube 34 is a deflector plate 223 having an arm 224 projecting outwardly therefrom. The deflector plate 223 is shown in solid lines in the position which it occupies when the machine is not in operation. A rod 225 is provided with an arm 226 (as best shown in Figure which is adapted to engage arm 224 and rotate deflector member 223 from its normal positionto the position indicated-by dotted lines in Figure 14. The rod 225 is connected to a, lever 22'! secured to a rotatable shaft 228. The left hand end of lever 221, as viewed from Figure 14, is associated with the cam I26. As previously indicated in connection with Figure 13, cam I26 is connected with the mechanism driving the gallon indicating wheels. The cam I26 is thus rotated as soon as the dispensing of the liquid is started. The cam I26 is provided with a fiat portion 229 as most clearly indicated in Figure 13. The lever 22'! normally bears against this fiat portion so that, as soon as the cam is rotated, the lever is rocked in a counter clockwise direction as indicated by dotted lines in Figure ing 220 into the tube 22I so as to eventually pass out through ejector tube 38 into the return cup. In this manner, it is assured that a coin can not be inserted in the machine while the machine is in operation.

The rod 225 has a further function. This rod is connected at its lower end to' a bell crank lever 23I. The free arm of lever 23I is adapted to actuate the gate 59 previously referred to. As best indicated in Figure 17 this gate is generally U- shaped, including a reduced outer leg 233 which is pivotally secured at 234 to the base of the coin housing 46. The gate 59 is further provided with a vertically extending lug 235 which is adapted to be engaged by the downwardly extending arm of bell crank lever 23I. The gate is biased by a spring 238 into a position in which it covers a coin slot 239 extending through the bottom of housing 46. Upon rod 225 being moved upwardly, the bell crank lever 23I is swung in a counter clockwise direction to, in turn, swing gate 59 away from slot 239, as best viewed in Figure 1'1. The slot 239 communicates with atube 24! which joins with a similar tube 242 and leads intoa coin safe 243, as indicated'in Figure 2.

The arrangement of tube 34 and coin receiving device 21 shown in Figures 2 and 14 is the one employed where there is sufficient room in the machine to arrange the slug detecting devices 33 and 35 as shown in Figure 2. In many machines, however, it is necessary to turn\at least one of nated by' the numeral 29' and the tube by the numeral 34'. It will be noted that the tube is arranged so that the long dimension of its crosssection is parallel to the slidein contrast to the arrangement of Figure 14.

Operation In the following description of operation, it will be assumed that the relay unit 45 and its associated coin receiving and slug detecting devices are designed to be operated by the insertion of a twenty-five cent coin, and that the relay unit 46 and its associated coin receiving and slug detecting devices are. adapted to be operated by the insertion of a fifty cent coin. The automatic operation of the device will first be considered.

Let it be assumed that the customer desires to purchase fifty cents worth of gasoline. The fifty cent coin is placed into the coin receiving opening 30 of the coin receiving device 21." Referring to Figure 14, the operator then grasps the fingerpiece I13 of the slide 29 and moves the slide inwardly. The member inserted must be as small as a fifty cent piece in order for it to be inserted in the opening 30. If the member is too small. a gap will be left between the edge of the inserted member and the edge of opening 30. As the slide is moved inwardly, the tapered point I15 of lever I14 will drop down into this gap preventing further inward movement of slide 29. The coin must thus be almost exactly the same size as a fifty cent coin. If the coin inserted is a spurious coin of the type having a hole through the center, the tapered point I15 of lever I14 will drop down into this hole and prevent further inwardmovement of the slide. If the coin is not defective in any of these respects, the slide can be moved inwardly until the forward edge of the coin is beneath the opening I80. If th coin is of magnetic material, the forward edge of the coin will be attracted upwardly by the poles of magnet I18. The result of this will be that the forward edge of the coin will engage the forward edge of opening I and again prevent inward movement of slide29. Thus if the coin is not of the proper size, if it has an opening therethrough, or if it is of magnetic material, it cannot even be in serted into the machine. If the coin, however, possess none of these defects, theslide 29 can be moved inwardly until the opening 30 is directly above the opening I82 so that the coin can drop into tube 34.

The lower end of tube 34 connects with the entrance opening I of slug detector 35. The coin will now pass downwardly through the portion I9I of the passage and past the magnet I92.

Even though the coin may have been so slightly magnetic that it was not affected by magnet I18, the presence of magnet I92 will tend to slow up the travel of the coin. The result will be that when the coin strikes the angular edge I96of anvil I95 the coin will not bounce with sufficient force to lift the hinged finger I98. The result will be that the coin will drop down into the recess I99 and out through opening 200 into tube 20I. From this point, the coin will fall downwardly into the ejector tube 38 and finally into the return cup 39.

netic material, which, however, is considerably lighter than silver, the inertia of the coin when it rebounds from the edge I96 of the anvil will If the coin is of non-magnot be suflicient to lift the hinged member I98 with the result that the coin will pass through opening 208 and into the return cup as previously described. The same will be true if the coin is of a very soft material such as lead, since the resiliency of such a material is so slight that it will not rebound with sufiicient force to lift the hinged member I98.

If the coin possesses none of the defects above mentioned, it will pass into the portion I91 of the passage and downwardly through the portion 283 into the portion 204. In so doing, it will acquire an appreciable momentum, so that, when it passes by the magnet poles of magnet 201, it will be rolling at an appreciably speed. If the coin is of a highly conductive material such as silver, there will be an appreciable tendency for eddy currents to be generated in the coin as it passes through the magnetic field of magnet 201, with the result that the coin will slow down in speed. In other words, the coin will slow down in an eifort to resist the induction of current therein. The result of this willbethat the coin will not strike the deflecting member 2I2 with as much force as if it were made of a material of lower conductivity such as would normally be employed in a spurious coin. By reason of the fact that th coin does not hit the deflecting member 2I2 with such great force, it will drop downwardly on the left hand side of the apex of deflecting member 2I3 and will pass out into tube 31. If the coin has a lower conductivity, however, it will strike the deflecting member 2 I 2 with such force that it will rebound onto the right hand side of the apex of deflecting member 2I3 and thus pass outwardly through opening 2| I into the ejector tube 38.

It will be noted from the above that the coin in passing through the coin receiving device 21 and the slug detecting device 35, enters the tube 31 and drops through this tube into the relay unit 46, where its further movement is impeded by the gate 59. The button 61 is then pushed inwardly rocking the levers 42 and BI upwardly. .The upward movement of lever 42 releases any slug that might have been retained by magnet 281 in the slug detecting device 35. The upward movement of the lever 6| in a clockwise direction acts in' the presence of the coin 62 to move the armature to its energized position as previously described. When the armature is so moved, switches 53 and 54 are closed. The closure of switch 54 establishes an energizing circuit to the electromagnet 59 as follows: from one terminal of the battery 250 (Figure 4), through conductors 25I, 252, and 253, switch 88, conductors 255 and 256, switch 54, conductor 251, electromagnet 58, conductors 258, 259, and 260, switch 19, and conductor 26! to the other terminal of the battery 250. It is to be understood that any other suitable source of power can be used instead of the battery 250. The establishment of the above traced circuit to electromagnet 58 results in the energization thereof so that the armature is held in its energized position regardless of the position of bell crank lever 6|. Push button 61 can now be released without afiecting the position of the relay.

The closure of switch 53 establishes the following energizing circuit to the pump motor I: from one terminal of battery 250 through conductors 25I, 252, and 253, switch 88, conductors 255 and 263, switch 53, conductors 264, 265, and 266, motor I5, and conductors 261 and 268 back to the other terminal of the battery 258.

The establishment of the above traced energizing circuit to motor I5 causes the pump to be operated so that as soon as the nozzle 20 is inserted in the tank and the valve in the nozzle is opened, the gasoline will start flowing, As soon as the gasoline starts flowing, the meter I1 will drive the gallon and price indicating wheels in the manner previously described. The initial rotation of these wheels causes cam I26 to be turned so as to rock lever 221 as previously described. This shifts the deflecting plate 223 to its dotted line position to prevent the entry of another coin. Furthermore, this swings the gate 59 to permit the coin to drop into the safe 243. The pump will continue in operation until wheel assumes a position wherein figure five of this wheel would be visible through the window of housing 92, where such a window is provided. When wheel 95 occupies this position, the lug 84, as shown in Figure 1, will engage the switch support I38 of switch 88 and tilt this switch to its circuit open position. It will be noted that switch 88 is included in the energizing circuits for both the electromagnet 50 and the motor I5 traced above. Thus when this switch is opened, the relay and motor are deenergized. The relay in moving to its deenergized position moves switch 54 to its open position, thereby precluding the possibility of the relay being reenergized by the subsequent closure of switch 88.

It will be noted from the above described operation that the dispensing operation is automatically terminated when fifty cents worth of gasoline has been delivered. This is true regardless of what the current price per gallon may be.

Let it be assumed that thenext customer wishes to purchase twenty-five cents worth of gasoline. It is necessary for him to first reset the wheels to zero. If this is not done, the position of cam I26 will be such that the coin is deflected into tube 22! and delivered into the return cup 39. It is to be understood that a lever similar to 221 is secured to shaft 228 at a point adjacent the coin receiving device 26, and that this lever is designed to actuate a similar deflecting member and gate associated with the coin handling mechanism connected to the coin receiving device 26. Thus if the coin is inserted in either coin receiving device before the wheels are reset the coin will not be received. As previously explained, the resetting is accomplished by rotating crank I6I. This resetting operation not only resets the wheels but also returns cam I26 to its normal position. When this is done, the apparatus is now in condition for the next operation.

The coin receiving device 26 is the one which is designed to receive a twenty-five cent coin. This coin in passing through the coin receiving device 26 and the slug detector 33 is subjected to a series of tests similar to those described inconnection with the insertion of the fifty cent piece. The only ways in which the coin receiving device 26 and the slug detector 33 difier from the coin receiving device and slug detector previously described are in the size of the various openings and passages and the spacings of the various abutment members. If the coin is a genuine twenty-five cent coin, it will pass through tube 36 into the relay unit 45. A knob 215 is then moved inwardly to raise an arm 216 corresponding in function to rod 64. This will move the relay unit 45 to its energized position in which switches 13,14 and 15 are closed.

Closure of switch 14 results in the following energizing circuit being established to electromagnet 10: from the left hand terminal of battery 250 through conductors 25!, 252, and 218, switch 99, conductors 219, 280 and-293, switch 19, conductor 28!, electromagnet III, conductors 292, 259, and 260, switch 19, and conductor 26! to the other terminal of battery 250. The establishment of this circuit insures that the relay will remain in its energized position when the button 215 is released.

The moving of switch 13 to closed position establishes the following energizing circuit to motor I: from the left hand terminal of battery 250 through conductors 25!, 252, 218, switch 90, conductors 219, 280, and 284, switch 13, conductors 285, 265, and 266, motor I5, and conduc tors 261 and 268 to the other terminal of battery 250. The energization of this motor causes operation of the pump making possible the delivery of gasoline. The gallon and price indicating wheels now are turned as the gasoline is delivered to the automobile tank. The initial rotation of these wheels shifts the cam I 26 to cause the coin to be dropped into the safe and to prevent the admission of another coin, as previously described in connection with the'operation with a fifty-cent coin. v

The problem of terminating the operation of the motor when a predetermined value of gasoline has been dispensed, is more diflicult in the case of the operation with a twenty-five cent coin than it is in connection with a fifty cent I has been dispensed. As a result of this, it is necessary to consider the positions of both wheels 95 and 96 in determining when to terminate the dispensing operation. This is accomplished by Q having the tends digit wheel perform a preliminary operation to stopping when it occupies a position in which the digit two appears through the window and having the final digit wheel com plete the stopping operation when the digit five appears through the window.

These two steps are shown in Figures 5 and 6. As soon as wheel 95 occupies the position shown in Figure 5, the lug 85 engages the switch support I39 of switch 89 to tilt this switch to closed position. The result of this closure of switch 89 is that the following circuit is established to solenoid I48: from the left hand terminal of battery 259 through conductors 25!, 252, 218, switch 99, conductors 219 and 281, switch 15, conductor 288, switch 89, conductor 289, solenoid I98, conductors 299 and 260, switch 19, and conductor 26! to the other terminal of battery 25!]. The energi zation of solenoid IB causes switch 99 and switch support I4! to move downwardly as previously described. As soon as the plunger I43 carrying the switch support I4! moves downwardly, it is retained in this lower position by the latch I52. In its new position, the arm I45 of switch support I4! lies in the path of movement of lug 86 as previously described. The result is that when the wheel 96 moves to the position shown in Figure 6 in which the digit five appears before the window, the switch support I4! and switch 9!] are tilted. The tilting of switch 90 moves it to open position and interrupts all of the circuits previously traced. This will cause the relay 10 to drop to its deenergized position and will cause deenergization of the motor I5 driving the pump.

It will be noted from the foregoing description that I have provided an arrangement whereby a conventional gasoline vending machine of the meter dial type can be adapted for operation as a coin controlled machine. Provision is made for any possible contingency that might arise by carelessness or fraudulent intent on the part of the user. Thus a novel and highly effective slug detecting system is employed. Furthermore, it is assured that the machine'will not receive a coin while in operation or while the wheels are in any but the starting position.

If it is desired to operate the machine in a normal manner when an attendant is present, switch 11 is turned to the manual position by rotating knob 18. This results in switch being moved to the closed position and switch 19 to the open position. The opening of switch 19 prevents the establishment of any of the relay circuits previously traced. The closure of switch 8|] makes possible operation of the motor by the removal of the hose nozzle from the nozzle hook on the pump. As sOOn as the nozzle is removed, the hook moves upwardly to move a switch blade 290 into engagement with a fixed contact 29!. The closure of this switch causes the following energizing circuit to be established to motor !5: from the left hand terminal of battery 25!! through conductors 25! and 293, switch 80, conductor 294, contact 29!, switch blade 290, conductors 295 and 266, motor I5 and conductors 261 and 268.

This circuit remains energized as long as the nozzle is ofi. the hook and is interrupted as soon as the nozzle is replaced on the hook. Thus by a very simple switching operation, the machine can be changed from automatic to manual operation.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described, it is to be understood that this is for purposes of illustration only and that the.

invention is limited only by the scope of the ap pended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a coin controlled mechanism, a relay comprising an electromagnet, a movable armathereof so as to normally render said actuating I mechanism inoperative, one of said members being directly connected to said armature, means for introducing a coin into the gap between said two members to form a link therebetween, means including said switch for establishing a holding circuit for said relay upon said armature being moved by said actuating mechanism to said second position whereby said armature is maintained in said second position independently of said actuating mechanism, and means controlled by said relay for interrupting said holding circuit when a predetermined operationhas been completed. I

2. In a liquid dispensing machine for dispensing an amount of liquid corresponding to a prede termined multi-digit price, electrically operated dispensing means, liquid flow indicating means including a plurality of numeral carrying wheels for indicating the total price of the dispensed liquid, each of said Wheels indicating a separate digit switch controlling said circuit and movable between a normal first circuit controlling position in which said circuit is closed and a second circuit controlling position in which said circuit is open, a member associated with said switch for actuating the same from said first to said second circuit controlling position, means operated by a first of said wheels and effective when the position of said wheel corresponds to the corresponding digit of said predetermined price to cause said switch actuating member to be moved from a normal position to a second position without changing the circuit controlling position of said switch, and means operated by a second of said wheels effective when said wheel assumes a position corresponding to the other digit of said predetermined price and when said switch actuating member is in said second position to engage said switch actuating member to move said switch to said second circuit controlling position and thereby interrupt said energizing circuit.

3. In a liquid dispensing machine for dispensing an amount of liquid corresponding to a predetermined two-digit price, electrically operated dispensing means, liquid flow indicating means including a plurality of numeral carrying wheels for indicating the total price of the dispensed liquid, each of said wheels indicating a separate digit of the price, means for initially establishing an energizing circuit to said dispensing means, a switch controlling said circuit and movable between a normal first crcuit controlling position in which said circuit is closed and a second circuit controlling position in Which said circuit is open, a member associated with said switch for actuating the same from said first to said second circuit controlling position, means operated by a first of said wheels and eiiective when the position 01. said wheel corresponds to the corresponding digit of said predetermined price to cause said switch actuating member to be moved from a normal position to a second position without changing the circuit controlling position of said switch, a latch for latching said member in said second position, means operated by a second of said .wheels effective when said wheel assumes a position corresponding to the other digit of said predetermined price and whensaid switch actuating member is in said second position to engage said switch actuating member to move said switch to said second circuit controlling position and thereby interrupt said energizing circuit, means for resetting said wheels, and means operable as an incident to said resetting operation to release said latch.

4. In a liquid dispensing machine for dispensing an amount of liquid corresponding to a predeter-v mined multi-digitprice,. electrically operated dispensing means, liquid flow indicating mean including a plurality of numeral carrying wheels controlling position oi. said switch, means operable upon a first of said wheels assuming a position agreeing with the corresponding digit of the predetermined price to energize said electromagnetic means, and means operable upon a second of said wheels assuming a position corresponding to another digit of said predetermined price and upon said switch actuating member being in said second position to engage said switch actuating member to move said switch to said second circuit controlling position and thereby interrupt said energizing circuit.

5. Inc. liquid dispensing machine for dispensing an amount 'ofliquid corresponding to a predetermined multi-digit price, electrically operated dispensing means, liquid flow indicating means including a plurality of numeral carrying wheels for indicating the total price of the dispensed liquid, each of said wheels indicating a separate digit of the price, means for initially establishing an energizing circuit to said dispensing means, a switch controlling said circuit and'movable between a normarnrst circuit controlling position inwhich mined multi-digit price, electrically operated disfor indicating the total price of the dispensed liquid, each of said wheels indicating a separate digit of the price, means for initially establishing I .an energizing circuit to said dispensing means, a

ing the same from said first toisaid second circuit controlling position, electromagnetic means operable when energized to cause said switch actuating member to be moved from a normal position to asecond position without changing the circuit said circuit is closed and a second circuit controlling position in which said circuit isopen, a member associated with said switch for actuating the same from said first to said second circuit controlling position, electromagnetic means operable when energized to cause said switch actuating member to be moved from a normal position to a second position without changing the circuit controlling position of said switch, means operable upon a first of said wheels assuming aposition agreeing with the corresponding digit of said predetermined price to energize temporarily said electromagnetic means, a latch for retaining said switch actuating member in said second position, and means operable upon a second of said wheels assuming a position corresponding to another digit of said predetermined price and upon said switch actuating member being in said second position to engage said switch actuating member to move said switch to said second circuit con, trolling position of said switch and thereby interrupt said energizing circuit.

6. In a liquid dispensing machine for dispensing an amount of liquid corresponding to a predeterpensing means, liquid flow indicating means including a plurality of numeral carrying wheels for indicating the total price of the dispensed liquid,

each of said wheels indicating a separate digit of the price, means for initially establishing an energizing circuit to said dispensing means, a tiltable mercury switch controlling said circuit and tiltabie from a normal circuit controlling position in which said circuit is closed to a second circuit controlling position in which said circuit is open, means operable upon a first of said wheels assuming a position agreeing with the corresponding digit of said predetermined price to .move said mercury switch from a first normal position to an intermediate position without tilting said switch to said second circuit controlling position, and means operable upon a second of said wheels assuming a position corresponding to another digit of said predetermined price and upon said switch being in said intermediate position to tilt -said switch tosaid second circuit controlling position and thereby interrupt said energizing circuit.

7. In a coin controlled liquid dispensing machine, motor operated dispensing means, a motor for operating said means, means including a coin receiving device for initiating energization of said I motor upon the reception of a; coin, means for maintaining energization oi said motor independsaid coin receiving device during the dispensing operation, and means including said second memher for releasing the inserted coin from said coin receiving device after liquid has started' to flow through said meter.

8. In a coin controlled liquid dispensing machine, motor operated dispensing means, a motor for operating said means, means including a coin receiving device for initiating energization of said motor upon the reception of a coin, means for maintaining energization of said motor independently of said coin, a liquid meter, means including a first member driven by said meter for terminating energization of said motor when a predetermined amount liquid has been dispensed, a coin returning chute, a coin safe, means including a second member driven by said meter for deflecting into said coin returning chute a coin inserted during the dispensing operation, and

means including said second member for releasing the inserted coin from said coin receiving device into said coin safe after liquid has started to flow through said meter.

9. In a coin controlled machine, electrically,

operated means, a relay controlling the operation thereof and eflective when moved to its energized position to initiate energlzation of said electrically operated means, a coin receiving device associated with said relay, coin receiving and slug detecting mechanism connected to'said relay coin receiving device, a coin return chute, said slug detecting mechanism normally being operative to eject spurious coins into said coin return chute prior to their arrival in said relay coin receiving device but being operative with certain types of spurious coins to retain said coins in said mechanism, a manually reciprocable member, means associated with said member and operable upon actuation thereof to move said relay to its energized position when a coin has passed through said slug detect-1 ing mechanism into said relay coin receiving device or to eject into said coin return chute a spurious coin retained in said slug detecting mechanism, and means operable during the oper-, ation of said electrically operable means to eject any inserted coin into said return chute.

10. In a liquid dispensing machine for dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid corresponding to a predetermined price, a liquid flow line through which said liquid is dispensed, a device for controlling the flow of liquid through said line, a liquid flow meter responsive to the amount of dispensed fluid, a plurality of numeral carrye ingwheels, adjustable means for causing said meter to drive said numeral carrying wheels at a rate with respect to the fluid flow which corresponds to the desired price per unit volume of fluid so that said numeral carrying wheels act as an indicating means to indicate the total price of the dispensed fluid, a shaft operatively connected to said indicating means and driven therewith, means for initiating the fiow of liquid through said liquid flow line, means operated by said shaft for moving said controlling device to an intermediate position preparatory to the interruption of said liquid flow when the indicating means assumes a position bearin a relation to a accuse position corresponding to said predetermined" amount of liquid, and further means operated by said shaft for moving said controlling device to completely interrupt said liquid flow when the indicating means assumes a position corresponding exactly to the desired amount of liquid.

11. In a coin controlled liquid dispensing machine for dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid corresponding to a predetermined price, a liquid flow line through which liquid is dispensed,

an electrically operated controller for said liquid flow line, a liquid flow meter responsive to'the amount'of dispensed fluid, a plurality of. numeral carrying wheels, adjustable means for causing said meter to drive said numeral carrying wheels at a rate with respect to the fluid flow which corresponds to the desired price per unit volume of fluid so that such numeral carrying wheels act as an indicating means to indicate the total price of the dispensed fluid, a shaft operatively connected to said indicating means and driven therewith, means for establishing an energizing circuit to said controller to initiate a flow oi liquid through said liquid flow line, a switch controlling said circuit, actuating means for said switch, means operated by said shaft for moving said switch actuating means to an intermediate position preparatory to actuation of said switch to interrupt said energizing circuit when the indicating means assumes a position bearing a predetermined relation to a position corresponding to said predetermined amount of liquid, and further means operated by said shaft for moving said switch actuating means to complete said 85 switch actuation when the indicating means assumes a position corresponding exactly to the desired amount of liquid. I

12. In a device of the class described, a plurality of numeral carrying wheels, means for rod0 tating the same, each or said wheels indicating a separate digit of a predetermined amount, a switch movable between open and closed circuit controlling positions and normally assuming one of said positions, a member associated with said switch for actuating the same to the other or said circuit controlling positions, means operated by a first of said wheels and effective when the position of said wheel corresponds to the corresponding digit of said. amount to cause said switch actuating member to be moved from a normal position to a second position without changing the circuit controlling position of said switch, and means operated by a second of said wheels effective when said wheel assumes a position corresponding to the other digit of said predetermined amount and when said switch actuating member is in said second position to engage said switch actuating member to cause said switch to move to said other circuit controlling position. 13. In a device of the. class described, a pluralit of numeral carrying wheels, means for rotating the same, each ofsaid wheels indicating a separate digit of a predetermined amount, a I

switch movable between open and closed circuit controlling positions and normall assuming one of said positions, a member associated with said switch for actuating the same to the other or said circuit controlling positions, electromagnetic means operable when energized to cause said switch actuating member to be moved from a normal-position to a second position without changing the circuit controlling position of said switch, means operable upon a first of said wheels assuming a position agreeing with the corresponding digit of therpredetermined amount to engage said switch actuating member to cause said switch to move to said other circuit controlling position.

pensing of the dispensed medium, a coin receivchute, a second chute communicating with JOHN M. ALEXANDER. 

